Tarantino’s Cicchetti Bar and Record Lounge

Tarantino’s Cicchetti Bar and Record Lounge sits on a strip of Parry Avenue across from Fair Park that is a growing hub of restaurants. This spot is the work of long-time Dallas restaurateur, Peter Tarantino. Here he’s serving the food he grew up eating in his large Italian family. Focaccinas are a unique item on the menu Tarantino says are popular street food in southern Italy. These small sandwiches are about the size of an English muffin. The bread is a tad bit crispy on the outside and soft inside. A bit more sturdy than a roll. We tried a warm pimento cheese made with Mrs. Deese Pimento Cheese, a local supplier. The cheese packs some heat and was quite remarkable. Next visit we’d go for the roast beef or Italian sausage focaccina. Actually, we could work our way through the entire menu of them (six total). They also have large plates of spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna and a steak. You can grab a seat at the bar or in one of the more relaxed retro couches near the record lounge where guest DJs spin tunes.